Drop those festive pounds at La Manga Club

With the festive season over it's time to get back in shape and prepare for the year ahead.

Those looking to burn off the excess calories they consumed over Christmas may wish to consider a trip to La Manga Club in Spain.

Situated in the sunny Murcia region, La Manga is the ideal place to get in shape and with 28 multi-surface tennis courts, three championship golf courses and a state-of-the-art health and fitness centre, guests will be spoilt for choice.

La Manga is bordered on two sides by a national park and guests can also keep fit by exploring the surrounding countryside.

Monarch makes flights to Spain 'easier' for families

Travelling with children is never easy, however, low-fare airline Monarch has announced plans to introduce a new complementary 10kg hold baggage allowance for infants.

Speaking recently, the airline said that as well as offering parents this extra allowance, prams, pushchairs and car seats will continue to be carried for free.

Liz Savage, the managing director of Monarch's scheduled service division, said the airline was committed to providing good customer service to all of its customers.

"As an airline flying to popular holiday destinations in Spain, Portugal and Cyprus we carry many young families on their annual holidays and feel it is important to make their travel experience as seamless as possible," she added.

Gobble some grapes 'for good fortune'

Britons taking holidays to Spain over the festive period can enjoy good fortune in the New Year by following the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight on December 31st.

Supermarkets across the country are already selling small packets of grapes and, according to Typically Spanish, the tradition has a 100-year history.

Revellers usually eat the grapes in time with the chimes of the Puerto del Sol in Madrid, which is broadcast on television and it is thought that up to two million kilos of the fruit is eaten on New Years Eve.

Other Spanish New Year traditions include eating lentils to boost wealth and wearing red or yellow underwear.

Yorkshire youngsters plot La Manga Club golf victory

La Manga Club might be the setting for many a golf holiday in Spain, but for six youngsters in Yorkshire, relaxation will be far from their minds when they take to the famous fairways next month.

The junior members at Willow Valley Golf will be taking part in the Junior Team Home Nations Championship at La Manga Club between December 17th and 22nd and are preparing themselves for a battle, Today's Golfer reports.

"We might be underdogs due to our higher handicaps, but we have already defied the odds by beating some established clubs in the nationals," said Chris Nuttall, junior organiser at Willow Valley.

The tournament at La Manga Club is one of the most prestigious for the under-18 age group, with Sky Sports cameras set to be beaming the action into the homes of UK viewers.